North-east to be self-sufficient in food grain by 2015: ICAR

UMIAM (MEGHALAYA): Many north-eastern states will be self-sufficient in food grain production by 2015, a top official of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research ( ICAR) said today.

"By 2015, many food-grain deficit states like Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim will be sufficient in food grain production," ICAR Director (northeast region) S V Ngachan said here addressing a workshop on strategies for climate resilient agriculture in the region.

The ICAR chief for north-eastern region was all praise for Nagaland which has achieved self sutainability in foodgrain production and for Assam, whose food grain production has increased from 3.7 million tonnes in 2010-11, to 5 million tonnes during the current year.

He said, "Manipur, which once was also a foodgrain deficit state will be crossing the surplus marks in production".

Further, Ngachan said, "NE production of fruits and vegetables is on the surplus side and at par with the national average".

According to the ICAR director, "All NE states are advancing with greater steps towards food grains productivity this year".

He said, "By 2020, we will achieve a self sustainability in food production," a target which the Centre has appreciated.